Michelangelo Merisi Da Caravaggio

Biography

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (29 September 1571 – 18 July 1610) was an influential Italian painter known for his dramatic use of light and realism. Born in Milan, he trained under Simone Peterzano and later moved to Rome, where he gained prominence with works like "The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew" and "The Calling of Saint Matthew." Caravaggio's style, characterized by tenebrism, marked a significant departure from Mannerism and laid the groundwork for Baroque art. Despite his artistic success, his tumultuous personal life included numerous legal troubles, brawls, and a death sentence issued by the Pope following a fatal altercation in 1606. After fleeing Rome, he continued to work in Naples and Malta but faced further violence. Caravaggio died under mysterious circumstances in Porto Ercole. His legacy was largely overlooked until the 20th century, when his contributions to modern painting were rediscovered, influencing many artists, including Rubens and Rembrandt.